May severs diplomatic ties with Russia over spy poisoning, expels 23 officers

London: Britain will expel 23 Russian diplomats in retaliation for the nerve agent attack on a former Russian double agent, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday.

"Under the Vienna Convention, the United Kingdom will now expel 23 Russian diplomats who have been identified as undeclared intelligence officers," May told parliament.

Also Read: Russia rejects UK order, seeks nerve agent access

"They have just one week to leave." May said the biggest expulsions from London in 30 years would degrade Russian intelligence capabilities in Britain for years to come. "We will freeze Russian state assets wherever we have the evidence that they may be used to threaten the life or property of UK nationals or residents," May said.

May also said that UK is suspending high-level diplomatic contact with Russia over spy poisoning.